...including using stacked coupons and amazing websites that lead you to unimaginable deals (see "Pinching Pennies" post). Here is a photo of everything I got during my quick Target trip yesterday:

And I got all of it for only $5.47 (less than what the cat food cost initially)!!! I saved $15.00!!! CRAZINESS!!!

Pinching Pennies

I'm sure many of us have felt the effects of the economy lately in one way or another. For Seth and I, it's been especially challenging with us currently being a single-income family. We've already been living without cable (...even TV for that matter) and internet for the past six months. I haven't shopped for clothes or any "extras" for a lengthy amount of time as well. Our money conversations these days are more along the lines of: "Do we have enough money to fill up our gas tank all the way? Or will that leave us without money to buy bread and milk for the week?" While it's easy to feel overwhelmed under financial strain, we are choosing to take a more positive approach to our situation. As of Tuesday night, we will have officially set up our first budget. That's right folks! We've put off creating a budget for a while, using the excuse that nether of us were on salary, making our weekly or bi-weekly income different every week. No longer are we going to let that stop us from being financially organized. My sister Vicki is going to help us set up a plan to put perameters on our spending, so we will truly be living within our means. While nether one of us have school loans to pay off (thanks Dad & Mom!!!), we do have a bit of credit card debt thanks to tax time and a cross-country move. Vicki is going to help us utilize the "snowball effect" in paying off our debt, which will eventually allow us to have a substantial amount of savings. Our goal in all of this is not to become independently wealthy, but rather to live a debt-free, God-honoring lifestyle. I suppose the reason why I'm posting this on my blog is because a lot of people in our age range struggle financially, living paycheck to paycheck, drowning in debt. I'm here to say it doesn't have to be that way, and I'm truly excited about our financial future!!!

One area where we're working hard to save some moolah is eating out. Don't get me wrong - I LOVE to cook. And bake for that matter. But there's just something fun and exciting about eat out - especially when you're eating out with your loved ones. Seth and I were able to jump on the major discount that www.restaurant.com had on 9.9.09 - 90% off sale!!! Do yourself a favor and sign up for their mailing list. Oftentimes, they'll have 80% off days where essentially you could purchase a $25.00 gift certificate for $2.00 (gift certificate normally priced at $10.00). Many of the restaurants have stipulations (i.e. you have to spend at least $35.00 total), but it's still worth it in the end.

Speaking of being financially saavy, please check out these blogs:

www.stretchingabuckblog.com & www.moneysavingmom.com

I've just learned that you can oftentimes "stack" a retailer's coupon with a manufacturer's coupon, doubling your savings!!!  I can't wait to stop by Target later on today for these deals thanks to "Stretching A Buck Blog" (I know they're totally random, but they also end up being totally FREE!!!):

Market Pantry String Cheese - $0.50/ea
Use $1/2 Target coupon here
Final Price = FREE when you buy 2

All Laundry Detergent (travel size) - $1/ea
Use $1/1 when you sign up here
Final Price = FREE